Question

Why is the flow of signals in a synapse from axonal end of one neuron to dendritic end of another neuron but not the reverse?

Answer 1

As the electrical impulse reaches the axon terminal in the region of axon-dendrite synapse, it stimulates the exocytosis of vesicles containing neurotransmitter (e.g. acetylcholine). Neurotransmitter attaches to the chemoreceptor sites of the membrane covering the dendrite end of synapse. It creates a new impulse that travels through cell body and axon of the second neuron. At synapse, the axon end does not contain any chemoreceptor sites so that reverse flow of electrochemical impulses is not possible.